Best whiskey we've tried... Monkeyshoulder - a vat blend of three highland malts - excellent taste, good value and a really cool bottle - look for it!

We are in Oban where the local whiskey shop is staffed by someone from Saskatoon!!!

We are doing well in the West lands, and have visited some really beautiful places. A few days ago, we stayed at Glenfinnan, near the viaduct where all the dramatic train scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed. Every day, the Jacobite steam engine chugs up from Fort William and stops there en route to Mallaig on the coast. We rode the train, in one of the compartments used to film the scenes with the swirling 'Dimentors' and had a great time looking out over the hills an forests used to make the famous films. James and David were a little excited about all this.

We stayed in the Glenfinnan Rail Car sleeper - a hostel with a very small room, a nice kitchen and a seating area. The car is located beside the Glenfinnan station and is a really cool place to stay if you ever have the chance.

from there, we drove down the coast to Ben Nevis, and hiked the shoulder to the Steall waterfall. It almost didn't rain on us, but the top of the UK's highest peak could never be seen due to thick clouds up high. The boys have not forgotten how to hike - they did really well and earned an ice cream for their effort!

Then, down to Oban where we had the best Haddock and chips yet. We were over to the Isle of Mull yesterday, and spent some time at Tobermoray. We wanted to get across to Calgary and Calgary bay, but the local bus service does not run on Sundays! Had to settle for nice views of the harbour and town where we were.

Today we visited the Scottish Seal Recovery Centre- a place for injured wildlife. It has a pretty good aquarium too. This afternoon, I met a shopkeeper in a really nice whiskey store who hails from Saskatoon. She really likes the Monkeyshoulder as well. Off to a coastal park for a beach walk now, and tomorrow, off to Loch Lomond.

SUPER BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO MEI LEE OGDEN for having the good sense to pick Jamie and JJ as her new parents. The pictures are awesome and you guys look great!


Cheers!